by John O’Malley
“That thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” (Ruth 2:10).
Ruth’s words, punctuated by humility, give us a window to her heart. Ruth demurely enquired about Boaz’s grace. She could not quite grasp why Boaz cared so much for her. Ruth, in her meek and modest way, had come solely to glean in the harvest; but had also gleaned Boaz’s heart. Boaz’s grace was the response to Ruth’s gleaning of his heart.
Boaz had taken knowledge of Ruth. Boaz saw Ruth’s past, her problems, and her poverty; yet he still cared deeply for her. Although Ruth had a past that was unmistakably marred by her Moabite birth, Boaz still loved her. Ruth had problems abundant; still Boaz was unmovable in his commitment to Ruth. Ruth’s poverty was at an all-time low; yet Boaz still cared for her.
Ruth had not intended to draw attention to herself. She simply came to Boaz’s field as a needy woman seeking a potential place of provision. She realized with amazement that Boaz was interested in her. She asked why he had taken knowledge of her.
Dear friend, you should know our Eternal Boaz also saw our past, our problems, and our poverty. Yet even then, He still loved us. Our Eternal Boaz’s love reaches far and touches all that come to Him.